THE WILLOW-WRENS OF A LOTHIAN WOOD. 417 



Apart from the song, the principal notes are : the "pooee " call 

 and alarm-note (chiefly used as the latter) ; the buzzing-note of 

 the male during pairing-time; the " cheep " note introduced on 

 certain occasions between the songs. Other notes are uttered, 

 but are less well-marked. Frequently a distinct difference 

 between the call-notes of male and female in particular pairs 

 can be detected, but I have been unable to satisfy myself whether 

 this distinction is a sexual one, or merely individual. The note 

 of the young on first leaving the nest is a very hoarse imitation 

 of the " pooee " of their parents, and suffices to distinguish them 

 for some time. The song usually wanes in July, and ceases 

 between the middle of that month and early August. In some 

 seasons, however, the break is hardly perceptible.* A few young 

 males commence to sing in late July or early August, but the 

 bulk of the autumn song, which extends into September, pro- 

 ceeds, I believe, from the old males, which after their moult are 

 little less yellow than the young, and therefore not easily dis- 

 tinguished. I judge rather from the comparative excellence of 

 the song. Once, and once only, I have heard a female try to 

 sing. This was in May, during pairing-time, and appeared to 

 be the outcome of sexual excitement ; the song was very feeble, 

 consisting merely of a few stammering notes, uttered very simi- 

 larly to the very earliest efforts of the young males in autumn. 



In August, among the roaming, playful, inquisitive bands of 

 old and young, a recurrence of the buzzing-note of the courting 

 season is repeatedly to be heard during early morning and 

 forenoon. The birds uttering it appear to be mostly, if not 

 entirely, old males. The accompanying song is low, but com- 

 plete in utterance and prolonged; while the "cheep" note is 

 also occasionally emitted. Indeed, except for the comparative 

 absence of excitement, the bird's bearing is strongly reminiscent 

 of that shown in May, about egg- laying time. This behaviour 

 is interesting, showing apparent analogy to the autumn displays 

 of such birds as Black Grouse. 



:i " The break is longest in dry and warm seasons ; shortest in wet and 

 cool ones. 



Zool. Uh ser. vol. XIV. November, 1910. 2 K 



